On March 16 (after the bison draw deadline), the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe of South Dakota instituted a new lottery system for licenses that will be in effect for the 2018 deer draw. In the past, each hunter was allowed one application per species, but the new online system allows nonmembers to purchase up to five chances at a cost of $10 each. A preference system will also be implemented and one extra chance in the lottery will be awarded for each year you are unsuccessful in the draw (up to 10 points).

Hunters will be notified of the draw via email and will be able to pay for their license online as well. Tags will be mailed after the license is paid for. Hunters will have up to two weeks after the draw to pay for the license.

This winter has been relatively mild and there should be good numbers of whitetail deer available on the reservation. The number of permits will be determined later this year and the deadline to apply for deer permits is Aug. 1, 2018. Look for details and online applications at www.lowerbrulewildlife.com. Be sure to file a hunt report if you hunt the Lower Brule Reservation.